It’s pouring (somewhere). You’re getting your period. You’re beginning to think about stepping into oncoming traffic because you’ve recently reasoned that if a cab hit you–you sort of wouldn’t mind it. But what the hell is that about?

I know what you’re thinking–it’s just one of those days, Leandra. Blah.

I get it, I’ve been there, hell–yesterday almost left me wondering what I should do first: fork my eyeballs out or slowly pull my fingernails off their nail beds. (Naturally, I settled on fingernails first because I needed vision to properly pull but then again, also never got around to acting on the bout of masochism masquerading as a pick-me-up.)

No more, though.

I will not allow the evil devil residing over my left shoulder, clad head to toe in black patent leather Givenchy (don’t let the good clothes fool you), beguilingly tell me to feed the blah to win. I’m not quite sure what exactly amounts for the blah. It’s probably a combination of things that result in the culmination of the three aforementioned scenarios but dressing blah only nurtures the blah so today on TMR, we take a break from nourishing our misery, let clothing do its job and snap us the hell (pun so intended) out of it.

The way I see it, if clothing harbors the power to change our identities, there is absolutely no way it doesn’t also maintain the power to change our moods, too. But how?

I’m so glad you ask. Here are two tactics that often work for me:

Ask yourself this–what is the last thing you put on that made you feel really, really great about yourself? Was that ultimately about the clothes or your state of mind?

Don’t try to answer that – it’s a trick question. The answer is state of mind because of the clothes. Now put that outfit back on. Wear it. Or just traipse through your apartment in it until it’s time to leave and you’ve resolved a sequined mermaid gown is probably not your best bet for a Wednesday morning pow wow with the DMV.

No one else?

Another strategy goes as follows: think of your three favorite articles of clothing. These could be any garments that run a range from dresses, skirts, jackets and naturally spill over into shoes and so forth. Try pairing them all together. In the instance documented above I went with one blue striped, short sleeved, boatneck Sacai dress, topped it off with a metallic Dries van Noten blazer and a pair of Alexander Wang shoes that date as far back as this blog does. The purse is a banana-festooned pouch by Lizzie Fortunato and it constantly reminds me why I got into blogging in the first place–because fashion doesn’t have to be serious to be really, really good.

And see, the other nice thing that tends to happen with this approach is that you turn out pairing things together you never would have and find yourself quite pleased with the outcome.

Now, in case you’re wondering, my blah be gone, which makes it your turn to give this a try.

Interesting inverted clothes v. mood approach. I feel like a lot of the time we dress in an outfit that befits/encourages/duplicates our mood (see: sweatpants when I’m blue, neon when I’m hyper, fantastic shoes when I’m DTP). But dressing to CHANGE your mood is a different vegetable entirely, and I think I’m on board. Fashion is, at its heart, a transformative superhero with brain-altering powers, and that is something I should never underestimate. After all, just because I’ve decided to up my mood by way of a rad jumpsuit doesn’t mean I can’t sit around eating ice cream and re-watching Orange is the New Black. -Harling http://www.mytomayto.com

contentnet

That clutch is bananas.

Lierjo

Yes, yes, yes! You’ve managed to perfectly sum up my sense of fashion in one blog post. Pairing favorite Items together and just seeing how they turn out. Most often, it works wonderfully. And even if it doesn’t, I’d still wear it because as you said, “fashion doesn’t have to be serious.”Agreed.

Another great post, Leandra! I’m glad that even you get blah days, despite having such a fantastic wardrobe. Think it goes to show that it has less to do with the clothes and more to do with emotion. BUT what’s awesome — and what you stated above — is the ability for the clothes to get us out of the rut after boosting positive emotion. I’m sure the heat doesn’t help the blah feeling either, though. You know what’s weird? As I was reading yesterday’s posts (yesterday, of course), I somehow wound up thinking about how you haven’t worn those grey Alex Wang wedges in a while on here, and I wondered if you’d wear them soon. And Voila – next morning! That’s happened before with the blue Topshop dress in the summer dresses post, and the day before you posted the “In Honor Of” post it was that same thought, but about your Jimmy Choo sandals. Silly coincidence, but maybe it just helps the above argument in that clothes can be magnetizing, giving us The Vibe.— Your hair is looking really, really good.

andrieya

omg, no way you’re in NYC right now–too hot for blazers!

Leandra Medine

You better believe it, sister!

Ivana Džidić

wonderful article and it was actually quite helpful…I’ll go and find that special something that will put me in the right frame of mind.

thank you for being cool and talking about real cool things that actually happen. and thank you for not using the term “pop of color”

Hannah Xu

That kind of what-to-wear-moment is happening almost every morning… Weird way, I put out myself in a bipolar mode, turn into Leandra or give me Taylor T. Hil, and the inspiration will naturally pop up. Fashion is really a fun thing that I can become bipolar!!! Lovvvvv the dresss!

Nico

Love the jacket and the jewels, especially the ring on the little finger! Great look!

Ugh you literally gave me goosebumps when you spoke about slowly pulling your fingernails off their nail beds. *starts to cringe all over again*

Erica Wright

THANK YOU for this post Leandra, I am having a serious mega-blah day and everything you said totally sums up how my day has gone (forking eyeballs out-et-all). It’s 3.30pm in London and being unable to get out of sweatpants whilst eating a jar of Nutella at this time of day has most likely contributed to my tragic feelings of blah. Off to sort my life out! Thanks for the style tips!!

Funny you mention that fashion doesn’t have to be serious to be really, really good, I always preach this, and btw, you’re why I got into blogging in the first place, just thought you should know. Great post as usual

Will Code For Clothes

Wow this is some original manrepeller shit going on. Like the advice from the beginning: put all of your favorite pieces together (no matter what they are), because you’ll like it. LAYERS!

Ok, now I’m crying. I lost my favourite Alexander Wang blazer 2 months ago. It had magical powers to transform outfits as well as my mood 🙁 Where did you buy this amazing Dries Leandra? (also, what season is it from?) I am starting operation forget-about-the-Wang-with-an-even-better-blazer ASAP.

Also, it warms my heart to see you wear those shoes again <3. Proof that a solid pair is always worth the investment. I remember those days when you'd eat tuna sandwiches spread on the floor looking like Rumi in them. Look how far you've come!

Cat

Hey, you should do one of those again for old times sake. They were hilarious posts!!!

Leandra Medine

Ha! Re: the blazer, I actually bought it from another bloggers webshop. Last I saw, I know it WAS still at Barney’s and ticketed at 70% off…

Cat

Thank you Leandra, you are lovely and the un-blah-liness personified <3

This is weird but what do you do to take care of your nails? They look really good.

Leandra Medine

If you’d believe it–I haven’t gotten a manicure in over a year. I think as a result of that, I have no cuticle problems anymore. Honestly, I just cut them every other week and that’s it. (I’ll even admit that sometimes I bite them in lieu of cutting)

Everyone needs an accessory like that clutch. I used to have a summer straw tote with a monkey in a coconut tree. It was a great conversation starter, and I loved it, until the handle broke. 🙁 This post is so on-point. Often what one is wearing affects one’s mood. Not always, but often.

Great post but I’ve been wondering about one thing on and off for a while. This Lizzie Fortunato clutch just screams PRADA. Not only people who live and breath fashion know it but also others, this Prada banana print has been in our faces for a while. And now what? All of the sudden this woman changes the pattern a bit, takes the Prada bananas and makes the clutch. And this has been happening all over. From fast fashion brands knocking off the known designers to so so so many more.

I love your posts, Leandra and was wondering what’s your take on this topic.

I love this blog! I have an old loft shift dress that is my go to, loose enough to read boho (and hide the rolls) and always looks good dressed up or down, with heels/without… you get the idea. It is my go to when i’m feeling just meh.preppyboho.com

Bnii

and that is why we louuuu you…. hugs!

zesiku

OMG HILARIOUS, YOU HAVE SPOKEN FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY ANGRY LITTLE HEART WITH THIS ONE. LOVED IT.